BOSI: “THE CITY IS WAITING FOR THE TOURNAMENT WITH FERMENT”
MARCHESINI ANNOUNCES THE OCCHIO DI FALCO LIVE
Parma, May 6, 2025 – A special edition to celebrate the first 5 years of the history of the Parma Ladies Open presented by Iren. Among the tennis promises and the champions expected at the Tennis Club Parma, together with the collateral events organized by MEF Tennis Events, the action of the Emilian WTA 125 promises to be intense on and off the court. The lineup of players who will fight for the title from May 12 to 17 is more interesting than ever, with 18 Top 100 players at the starting line, including WTA number 29 Yulia Putintseva and the 2005-born Philippine Alexandra Eala. Essential, as every year, is the support of the title sponsor Iren, in addition to that of the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Municipality of Parma, which work closely with the organization to ensure excellence also in 2025, and that of all the partners, including the main ones, Parmalat, G.I.Ma., Lacertosus, Opem and Imeta. The presentation press conference was attended by the Councilor for Budget and Sport of the Municipality of Parma, Marco Bosi; the Board Member of Iren, Giacomo Malmesi; the Councilor for Tourism, Commerce and Sport of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Roberta Frisoni (with remote intervention); the coordinator of sports policies of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Giammaria Manghi; Simone Alberici, member of the Regional Council of CONI and regional president of the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti of the FIGC; the president of the Tennis Club Parma, Giampiero Alinovi; the president of the Emilia-Romagna Regional Committee of the FITP, Gilberto Fantini; the president of MEF Tennis Events, Marcello Marchesini.
The joy of the Councilor for Budget and Sport, Marco Bosi – “The joint work with MEF Tennis Events has created not only a tradition but also an expectation for this event – explained Marco Bosi, Councilor for Budget and Sport of the Municipality of Parma –. For several years there has not been a tournament of this magnitude here, capable of involving fans and citizens in this way. The efforts of all parties involved have created a virtuous circle that is good for everyone, and my hope is that we can continue to organize this competition for many years. We hope to witness an extraordinary fifth edition, hoping to also be able to cheer on the Italian tennis players who will be present”. Bosi emphasized the importance of Iren, also in 2025 title sponsor of the tournament, as well as of the Tennis Club Parma: “The support of private investors is fundamental for an event like this. Without Iren, which believes a lot in the project, perhaps we would not be here to celebrate the start of the fifth edition of the Parma Ladies Open. To them, as well as to the Mariano club which is a simply wonderful place and much loved by the citizens, goes a big ‘thank you'”.
Iren still alongside the tournament – “Iren confirms its participation as title sponsor in the fifth edition of the Parma Ladies Open, scheduled at the Parma Tennis Club – said Giacomo Malmesi, Iren Board Member – The partnership underlines Iren’s desire to provide concrete support to an event of great importance, which brings together international-level athletes. Iren also supports the “Tennis Al Centro” initiative, the project that aims to bring the Parma Ladies Open and tennis in general to the streets of the historic center of Parma, involving commercial activities in setting up tennis-themed shop windows. Iren’s commitment also translates into a collaboration that aims to make the event increasingly sustainable and plastic free: Iren, in fact, will set up some water points inside the Parma Tennis Club, accessible to all, and water bottles will be distributed to staff, judges, athletes and spectators”.
The greeting of the Councilor for Tourism, Commerce and Sport, Roberta Frisoni – During the press conference, the Councilor for Tourism, Commerce and Sport of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Roberta Frisoni, spoke with a remote greeting to those present: “We are really happy that the Emilia-Romagna Region can once again host a competition with some of the best players in the world. We expect a city in turmoil to watch many beautiful matches and celebrate the hard work that brought us to the fifth edition of the Parma Ladies Open presented by Iren in 2025. As always, it is right to thank all those who collaborated in every part of the organization; we are ready to celebrate this week”.
President Alinovi’s invitation to the Parma Tennis Club – “First of all, it is important to point out that we would never have been able to organize anything without the collaboration of all the parties involved present here today – began his speech by the president of the Parma Tennis Club, Giampiero Alinovi –. I thought that after 5 seasons the emotion would fade, but I notice that it is always like the first time. In recent years, regional tennis has grown exponentially, with numerous high-level activities, which makes us truly proud. As a structure, we can only be happy to make ourselves available to be the home of the WTA 125 of Parma, but I reiterate that it is everyone’s contribution that makes this tournament possible. All that remains for me to do is invite you all to the Parma Tennis Club to watch many beautiful matches and continue to promote the sport”.
Giammaria Manghi: “The Emilia-Romagna Region is useful to the tennis movement – “The Parma Ladies Open presented by Iren is a very important event for us – explained the coordinator of sports policies of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Giammaria Manghi –. It must be said that Parma has always been and continues to be a city of sports, as demonstrated by the many high-level events. The synergy between the region and the Municipality of Parma is solid, and we are happy to collaborate constantly to promote the values of sport as well as the beauty of our territory. For years we have also been working with MEF Tennis Events from every point of view to bring a tournament of this level to the public, and I must say that the Tennis Club Parma facility is absolutely up to the task of an event of this magnitude. It is impossible not to mention the support of Iren, a reality that goes well beyond the corporate mission and fully supports initiatives of this type; their contribution makes the difference. I am convinced that the efforts we are making, combined with the investments of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, have contributed to making the national tennis movement increasingly flourishing year after year”.
Marchesini announces the Foxtenn Real Bounce – “I can only join in the thanks of the other speakers, who have all actively participated in helping us in the realization of the tournament – concluded the president of MEF Tennis Events, Marcello Marchesini –. I underline the importance of the contribution of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, as well as that of Iren which, as a private investor, is demonstrating year after year that it believes in the project and gives us the incentive to commit ourselves even more. This year we also have the novelty of the “Tennis al Centro” initiative and the setting up of two mini courts, in collaboration with the FITP, on Saturday 10 May in Piazza Garibaldi. These are opportunities to bring the city even closer to tennis, small additions parallel to the event to promote the discipline and make it accessible to everyone”. Marchesini then announced another big innovation, linked to the hawk eye. Thanks to the use of Foxtenn Real Bounce, the Parma Ladies Open presented by Iren will be the first WTA 125 tournament in Italy to use the new technology for the real-time judgment of dubious calls: “We know well that the use of line judges is gradually being replaced by technology and we are adapting, with a series of agreements, to these new methods that we hope to be able to experiment with in other tournaments branded MEF Tennis Events. We have worked hard to be here, now we can’t wait to enjoy the show while waiting for the wild cards, remembering that this year the WTA will reward the event for having reached its first 5 years of history”.
The “Tennis al Centro” project – In addition to the initiative involving the windows of the historic center, on Saturday 10 May, from 11:00 to 19:00, two mini-tennis courts will be set up in Piazza Garibaldi, accessible and usable by everyone. During the afternoon, the tennis schools of the area will be present to spend some time between games and meetings with the players of the tournament.
The ticket office is open on the official website – The ticket office is open on the official website, www.parmaladiesopen.com. For press accreditation requests, you can send an e-mail to credentials@meftennisevents.com.